Lots of you guys aren't going like me for this. Not military-bashing because I was one.

I retired at 20 years and 17 days active duty (but who's counting) ten years ago. I was not a miltary cop. Upon my retirement I was a section chief for an aircraft maintenance facility. The manpower I was responsible for varied from between 25 and 30 troops. I know from first-hand experience how immature and childish some new troops are when they've just left mommy and daddy and struck out on their own. I've forgotten who many E-1s and 2s I drummed out for alcohol violations and failing to progress.

For those reasons, I say that if a military cop wants to carry off-base on credentials; become a reserve for a local agency. That way the individual is taught State and local laws. The LE agency will decide whom they hire, and give the trust that is due. I reserved for my local Sheriff's Office well before I retired. Now I'm a detective. Another part of a second career ladder.

OR

At least be a second-term enlistee with Commander's approval to be covered under LEOSA. Reach a certain level of skill and knowledge first. Screen out the bad apple.

No problem Chief. Former AF SP here, I'm well aware about you ramp rats and your comprehension problems... j//k

For what it is worth we are on the same page when it comes to active-duty Joe. I don't think it’s a good idea to allow 17/18 year Johnny with zero life experiences to pack heat on a CAC card and a function badge either.

Then there's the yard of flightline, bucket of jetwash, and two ounces of K-9p.

I actually sent the same Lieutenant for a spool of flight line a week later to get him out of our hair. We were securing a scene near a runway and told him that we needed flight line instead of the usual yellow "police tape" because the "police tape" could get sucked into a jet engine and cause serious damage. That moron spent nearly half the day looking for the spool of flight line. Many supply sergeants were calling me laughing their @$$ off, while calling ahead to others to keep the prank going. Needless to say, it was priceless. Glad to see that the lieutenant has been promoted and transferred to a different unit. Classic example of "phuq up, move up". I know he was at least a bit smarter when we were done with him.

The purpose of this petition is to keep the subject alive, and maybe show that officers are still interested/concerned about the issue. If it can actually get the 25k signatures then maybe that will lend some exposure to the issue that a legislator can use. Even if (when) I leave the DOD, I'd still like to see my brothers and sisters get this. So, if you can offer your support, thank you.

The purpose of this petition is to keep the subject alive, and maybe show that officers are still interested/concerned about the issue. If it can actually get the 25k signatures then maybe that will lend some exposure to the issue that a legislator can use. Even if (when) I leave the DOD, I'd still like to see my brothers and sisters get this. So, if you can offer your support, thank you.

A better approach might be for DOD to try and get together with other agencies who are likewise without statutory authority and try to get an elected official to make it a "cause" of his(or hers). I think that would be more effective than trying to get it done for just one agency.

I would tell you ask FLEOA for support, but I doubt they would help (and you may not want them to, given some of the things they've pushed for in the past).